A Berwick resident has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Portland for committing Social Security fraud. Suzanne Hercock, aged 47, received a sentence of four years of probation and was ordered to repay $118,251 as restitution. Hercock had entered a guilty plea on May 24, 2024.
Court records reveal that between December 2008 and February 2020, Hercock deceived the Social Security Administration (SSA) by misrepresenting her household situation. She claimed that her husband, who is also the father of her children, did not reside with them to unlawfully obtain Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for the children. During several benefit eligibility reviews, she falsely asserted to the SSA that she and her husband lived separately. Hercock failed to disclose her husband's presence and income, knowing this information would impact her eligibility for benefits.
The investigation into the case was conducted by SSA’s Office of the Inspector General.